The Effect of Oral Bromelain on Interleukin-6 Levels in Tissue of Acne Vulgaris Model Rats
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Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the pilosebaceous unit associated with Cutibacterium acnes colonization and activation of the Toll-like receptor–NF-?B pathway, which upregulates production of inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6). Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus), is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties; however, experimental evidence regarding its effect on inflammatory cytokines in acne remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral bromelain administration on IL-6 levels in the tissue of acne vulgaris model rats. This in vivo laboratory experimental study employed a posttest-only control group design. Fifteen male Sprague-Dawley rats induced with C. acnes were divided into three groups: normal control (K1), negative control (K2), and treatment group (P) receiving oral bromelain at 88 mg/kgBW/day for 21 days. Tissue IL-6 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc least significant difference (LSD) test. C. acnes induction significantly elevated tissue IL-6 levels compared to the normal control (p<0.001). One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences in IL-6 levels between groups (p<0.001). The lowest IL-6 levels were observed in K1 (36.50±0.43) and the highest in K2 (94.01±0.57). The treatment group (P; 47.46±0.83) demonstrated significantly lower IL-6 levels than K2 and approximated K1 values. The post hoc LSD test confirmed statistically significant differences across all pairwise group comparisons (p<0.001). Oral bromelain administration effectively reduced IL-6 levels in the tissue of acne vulgaris model rats, demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory activity. These findings suggest that bromelain has potential as an adjunct therapy for inflammatory control in acne vulgaris.
Copyright (c) 2026 Laura noviani, Muhammad Eko Irawanto, Endra Yustin Ellistasari, Arie Kusumawardani, Nurrachmat Mulianto
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